The flood of new competitors in the streaming-media device race -- joining stalwarts Roku and Apple TV have been the $35 Chromecast from Google and the high-end Fire TV box from Amazon -- underscores the opportunity companies see in tapping the rise in demand to watch streaming video. Though Roku as a company is smaller than those rivals, its devices stand out because of elements like its massive catalog of channels.
Roku's system is approaching 2,000 channels and adds about seven to 10 more a week. That breadth of content on a system praised for its responsiveness and ease of use is a factor in Rokus continuing to show the greatest usage among people who stream media to their TVs, according to researcher Parks Associates.
From the article "Will Roku bring smart TVs into the cool crowd?" by Joan E. Solsman.
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